Now Harbin's in the spotlight at Coventry

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It used to be annual relegation struggles that tested the patience of the Sky Blues' faithful.

Lately, it has been the desperate financial straits the club has found itself in.

Given the circus that has often encircled the Ricoh Arena, it will not surprise followers that their best chance of reaching an FA Cup quarter-final this afternoon depends on the motivational powers of an Australian rugby league coach.

The departure of Iain Dowie this week has given little-known fitness guru John Harbin the opportunity to present his credentials.

The former coach of Wakefield Trinity Wildcats has been carving out a career for himself by clinging on to Dowie's shirt-tails but today he finds himself sitting in the dug-out, along with former Luton Town striker Frankie Bunn, as the Sky Blues attempt to beatWest Bromwich Albion.

He said: "It is totally different to rugby league — Mars to Earth.

"But Coventry are looking for some leadership and myself and Frankie have to provide that."

The Sky Blues are the only team to inflict a home league defeat on Tony Mowbray's West Brom side this season, although Coventry were beaten 4-0 at the Ricoh.

Mowbray's promotion push was derailed last year when his side lost momentum after a penalty shoot-out defeat at the same stage against Middlesbrough.

"The FA Cup did impact on our performances last year," he said, "You can never say the cup means nothing because of the confidence you get from winning. If we win, fantastic. If we don't, I won't be crying."